Tanzeel Khurram, Student, Jamia Ahmadiyya UK
During hardships, we often fall into a pit of despair which eventually drags us into a state of hopelessness. But with a slight mindset shift, we can turn daily struggles into periods of thankfulness to Allah.
Hazrat Umarra once explained three joys he felt at the time of worldly hardships, which were quoted by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira. (Irshadat-e-Nur, Vol. 1, p. 81)
1. The first joy: Being saved from a greater difficulty
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira said the first joy Hazrat Umarra mentioned was “to be spared from greater sorrow.”
Often, when we are engulfed by troubles, our only thought is to gain immediate relief. But seldom do we think in the way Hazrat Umarra describes – it is a blessing that we are not facing a greater hardship.
If we all began to think how fortunate we were to be saved from greater difficulties, we would immediately be more thankful to Allah the Almighty and in turn gain contentment in the face of our hardship.
2. Compensation for sins
The second delight Hazrat Umarra felt during hardships was the “expiation of sins.”
This statement of Hazrat Umarra is directly linked to the following hadith of the Holy Prophetsa:
مَا يُصِيبُ الْمُسْلِمَ مِنْ نَصَبٍ وَلاَ وَصَبٍ وَلاَ هَمٍّ وَلاَ حُزْنٍ وَلاَ أَذًى وَلاَ غَمٍّ حَتَّى الشَّوْكَةِ يُشَاكُهَا، إِلاَّ كَفَّرَ اللَّهُ بِهَا مِنْ خَطَايَاه
“No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that hardship.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5641, 5642)
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh has explained this hadith in the following manner:
“The sorrows and hardships that befall one in this world – if you are a believer – are recorded as rewards in your account, and you will be spared from the severity of the reckoning on the Day of Judgment. This is a divine favour, yet people fail to recognise it as such.” (Friday Sermon, 20 March 1998)
This is a profound message of hope and mercy for all believers that even when we are faced with problems, in the end, they become a means of reward and forgiveness for us as pain gets rid of our sins. What a great mercy Allah has blessed us with!
3. Worldly hardship, not spiritual
The third happiness mentioned by Hazrat Umarra, when faced with a hardship, was that “it’s a worldly hardship, not one affecting faith.” Meaning that at least the hardship was limited to this world and was not an issue affecting his faith and religion.
This gives us the lesson that though we may experience setbacks and problems in life, if our faith and belief are not affected, we are still better off and in a state of Allah’s grace.
4. A fourth joy during hardship: The opportunity to pray
Above were the three joys Hazrat Umarra experienced during hardship. But Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira added a fourth joy he personally experienced in times of trouble.
Huzoorra said that “one gets the opportunity to pray and has the faith that Allah will grant the best comfort after this hardship.” (Irshadat-e-Nur, Vol. 1, p. 81)
Therefore, in every hardship there is hope for us, as we are saved from greater difficulties, our sins are forgiven, the pain is worldly, and we get the opportunity to pray even more before Allah the Almighty.
Our Khulafa have always provided the solutions to our problems, and it is up to us to follow their instructions to gain benefit.